Bhubaneswar (Odhisa), 16 May, 2023 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off yesterday, 15th May 2023 Odisha’s maiden direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai. With this, international Air travel to the Middle East commenced directly from Odisha.
CM Naveen Patnaik is known to be a man of words and keeps his word. He had made a commitment to the Odia expats living in the UAE back in June 2022 during the Odisha Investors’ Meet held in Dubai that he would establish international flight connectivity between Odisha and Dubai in the first phase and he came good on his promise as always.
Inaugurating the maiden flight, CM Naveen Patnaik said global connectivity is a key driver of overall developments – be it industrial development, facilitating investments, promoting tourism or establishing communication for the Odia diaspora residing outside India. Dubai being a major travel and tourism junction in the middle east providing gateway to the European and the US markets, this flight will be extremely crucial for the development of all these sectors. Shri. Patnaik further emphasized that the 15th day of May 2023 would mark a new chapter in Odisha’s stride towards global connectivity.
With this direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, the BJD led Odisha Government has scripted another milestone which would help its IT, Trade, Commerce and Tourism sectors massively. With more Middle East business turning to India, this New flight will open the skies for more foreign direct investment, global collaborations and faster economic development along with infusion of technology from the Middle Eastern and its related businesses and sectors.
A total of 170 passengers flew on the maiden flight to Dubai, on the flight operated by the Indigo Airlines. With increasing focus on Odisha due to its Make in Odisha industrial and corporate Conclave, this has come as a shot in the arm for the BJD Government in Odisha and also endeared CM Naveen Patnaik to the Pravasi Odias, particularly those staying in Dubai and around UAE as their lives have become more comfortable due to this direct flight from Dubai to their State of Odisha.
